Thanksgiving lifts up our spirits and fills our hearts with joy as we journey through twisted roads and crocked paths. Thanksgiving needs to be a perpetual celebration of God’s gift of life and all his goodness towards us. Here are some helpful exercises of gratitude that would keep us humble and humane.

Looking back:
• Remember all those who have been good to us and express our gratitude to them.
• Remember our parents, family and loved ones and show them kindness.
• Remember all the happy days and not the sad ones.
• Remember the triumphs not the trials.
• Remember the laughters not the tears.
• Remember the lessons not the pain.
• Remember all the friends that have enriched our lives.
• Remember all those who have made a difference in our lives.
• Remember all the unknown heroes who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

Looking at the present:
• Give thanks for being alive.
• Be thankful for all the things we have taken for granted.
• Feel good that we can work and love freely.
• Feel so fortunate to be able to live in security and peace.
• Feel so blessed that we have friends who care.
• Whenever we drink or eat, remember the source with gratitude.
• Count our gains not our losses.
• Count our friends not our foes.
• Count our blessings not our crosses.
• Count our freedoms not our restrictions.
• Count our successes not our failures.
• Count our victories not defeats.
• Count it a joy to suffer for righteousness’ sake.
• Count it a privilege so suffer for Christ.
• Count what we have not what we miss.
• Count what is right not what is wrong.
• Count our strengths not our weaknesses.
• Count other people’s good deeds not bad deeds
• Embrace all of life with a thankful and open heart.
• Enjoy the opportunities for serving others.
• Thank God for the opportunities of sharing His love and joy.
• Show random kindness in our daily encounters.
• Show appreciation and validation on a daily basis.
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Looking forward:
• Strive towards our life goals with joy.
• Anticipate our blessed hope.
• Believe that tomorrow can be a better day.
• Build a better future by building on wisdoms from the past.
• Build a bright future by doing the right thing right now.
• Make sure that all my decisions are aligned with my life purpose.
• Appreciate every little thing which will grow in significance.
• Be prepared to meet our Maker and give an account of our lives.
• Look for the silver lining behind every dark cloud.
• Believe that the future can be better if we work and pray.
• Look forward to possess the Promised Land.
• Look into the future with the lens of faith.

Looking upward:
• Thank God for saving us from our self-destructive tendencies and our sins
• Thank God for second chances and for redeeming us from shame and guilt.
• Thank God for all his provision and abundant supply.
• Thank God for his unfailing guidance and protection.
• Thank God for grace and strength through troubled times.
• Thank God for giving us victory over all our enemies.
• Thank God that nothing is impossible with him.
• Thank God that he is always there for us.
• Thank God for lifting us from a pit and placing us on a higher ground.
• Thank God for turning my tears into joy.
• Thank God for giving me a moral compass to live by.
• Thank God for giving me a reason for living.
• Thank God for making us better people